Machine for twisting metal strips



Dec. 24, 1929. w. LOWE I Mmmm: Fon TwIsTING METAL STRIPS Filed Aug. 2o. 192@ e sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 24, 1929. w. LowE MACHINE Foa TwIsTING METAL STRIPS Filed Aug. 20. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR W/LL/AM L o WE Bw 4 l IWI l ATTORNEYS Dec. 24, 1929. w LowE 1,740,612

MACHINE FOR TWISTING METAL STRIPS Fi?"- W4 INVENTOR. WML/AMv owE BY 5l/' ff lo v l ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 24, 1929. W LOWE 1,740,612

MACHINE FOR TWlSTI-NGMETAL STRIPS Filed Aug. 20, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 T-E-j IN VEN TOR.

/ ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 24, 1929. w. LOWE 1,740,612

MACHINE FOR TWISTING METAL STRIPS Filed Aug. 20, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

" W/LL/AM L0 E y 9 B lw/ f f l A TTORNEYS.

Dea, 24, 1929n wu LowE 1,740,612

MACHINE FOR TWISTING METAL STRIPS Filed Aug. 20, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

, W/LL/AM 1 e W5 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM LOWE OF ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT, A'SSIGNOB TO THE AMERICAN BRASS COMPANY, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT MACHINE FOR `TXISTING METAL STRIPS `Application filed August 20, 1926. Serial No. 130,429.

My invention relates to machines for twisting metal strips, and has special reference to machines for twisting strips of copper or similar metal to form the core of the cable described and claimed in the application of ing this core, it is very important that the strip shall be twisted uniformly so as to proi vide a uniform support for the cabled wires,

and it is also important that in twisting the strip the I-shaped cross-sectional areathereof shall not be distorted. -If the twisted strip should be more or less S-shape in cross-section instead of straight, the surfaces of the enlarged or thickened edges of the strip would be transversely inclined and thus would not contact with the cabled wires throughout their width, as is the case where the twisted strip is straight in cross-section. Also, a strip that is straight 1n cross-section forms a more rigid and stiffer support for the cabled wires than a. strip which is curved or more or less S-shape in cross-section. It has been found diicult to properly twist a strip to form a core of this character at practical commercial speed. The twisted strip or core mustbe of perfectly uniformpitch, andzits faces and edges must be without distortion or imperfection, and thesev conditions must be preserved throughout very long runs of continuous strip..

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine for twisting a copper or other metal strip of the character above indicated, which meets all requirements and secures satisfactory commercial results in .an expeditious and economical manner.

With this and other objects in view, the features of the invention consist in certain constructions, arrangements and combinations of vparts hereinafter described and.

' the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

claimed, the advantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The several features of the invention will be clearly understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machinev embodying the features of the invention in their preferred form;

Fig. 2 is a. plan view of the Same;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig 1; l Fig. l 1s a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

F 1g. 5 is a plan View of the twisting head of the machine looking in the direction of thearrows 5 5 shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken'on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. l8;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatical view of component parts of the twisting head that act on the strip, the view'being taken at substantially the same angle as Fig. 5;

- Fig. 11 is a diagrammatical view of the same parts, taken on the line 11 11 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a side view of the twisted strip with lines indicated thereon, where said parts of the twisting head. engage the strip; and

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional View of the twisted strip.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted for use in twisting a strip 2 to form the core of the cable described and claimed in said application. rlhis strip is provided with enlarged or ,liiekened edges 4 so as to be substantially I-beam shape in cross-section. As shown, this machine is provided with a twisting head 6, a reel 8 upon which the strip `to be twisted is wound and from which it is drawn to the twisting head, a constantly driven feed wheel or standardizer 10 for feeding the twisted strip at a uniform rate of speed from the twisting head,

bearing in the upper en d of a standard 20- corresponding to the bracket or standard 16. The forward end of the shaft 18 is provided with a flange 22 to which is secured a crossbar 24 by means of bolts 26. This cross-bar 24 forms the rear end of a rectangular yoke or cradle having longitudinal side bars 28 on which are provided suitable bearings for the ends of the shaftof the reel 8, the axis of the reel being at right angles to the axis of the yoke. The forward end or cross-bar 30 ,of theyoke or cradle is secured by bolts 32l to a flange 34 on the. rear end of a short-shaft 36 which extends through and is journaled in the upper end of a bracket or standard 38 i mounted on the machine base. rlhe shaft 36 is in axial alinement with the shaft 18 and the twisting'head, and is driven to rotate the yoke .or cradle 28 and the twisting head through suitable sprocket and chain gearing 40 connected with the shaft of an electric motor 42.

-The strip to be twisted is drawn from the reel 8 and beneath a guide rod 44 extending between the longitudinal sides of the yoke, and then passes through' an axial bore in the rear cross-bar 24 of the yoke, the shaft 18 andthe twisting head. A cylindrical guide sleeve 46 is inserted in the forward end of the 'axial bore in the twisting head and is held in position by means of a set screw 48. A similar guide sleeve 50 is inserted in the axial borey in the forward cross-bar 24 and is held therein by a set Screw 52'. The inner diameter of the guide sleeves 46 and 50 is substantially the same as the width of the strip, so that these sleeves will eectively guide the strip as it passes therethrough. The guide rod 44 insures the strip being properly delivered to the forward guide sleeve 50 so as to assume a substantially diametrical position in the sleeve. The guide sleeve v46 effectively guides the strip as it passes to the twisting devices that are carried by the twisting head. The guide sleeves i6 and 50 are adapted to be rcmoved and ones of different diameter inserted so as to accommodate strips of different widths. The supply reel 8 is provided with a suitable band-breaking device 54 for preventing the reel from overrunning as the strip is drawn therefrom during the opera- Ition of the machine. v

The twisting devices hereinbefore referred to comprise two pairs or sets of rolls 56. r1`he rolls of each pair or set are secured upon one end of a shaft 60 and are spaced a distance apart by means of a washer 62 mounted on .the shaft and interposed between them. The

rolls are secured tothe shaft'between a collar ,64 formed on the shaft and a clamping nut 66 wardly and inwardly inclined face 70 on the twisting head, the two faces 70 being inclined substantially at an angle of 42 degrees to the horizontal and arranged diametrically opposite each other. Each bearing block 68 is secured to the head by means of a screw or bolt 72 (Fig. 5) that extends through a lateral projecting ear 74 on the block and is screw-threaded into the twisting head. The two roll carrying shafts'60 are driven so as to rotate the rollers during the rotation of the twisting head by means of pinions 76 secured on their outer or forward ends which engage a. large stationary gear 78 secured on the bracket or standard 16 which supports the twisting head.

The roll carrying shaft 60 are arranged substantially parallel with the inclined faces 70 and the rollers are positioned close to the rear end of the guide sleeve 46, the left hand set of rollers (viewing Figs. 10 and 11) being positioned slightly closer to the end of the guide sleeve than the other set. The two sets of rollers are equally spaced at opposite sides of the line of the axis of the twisting head. The two sets of rollers are adapted to be adj usted toward and from each other about the screws or bolts 72 and the rollers are rig-idly held from outward movement during the operation of the machine by set screws or bolts 80 which are screw-threaded through upstanding ears 82 on the twisting head and engage the outer sides of the` bearing blocks 68. As shown,lthe roll carrying shafts 60 are inclined slightly rearwardly and outwardly. This inclination may be varied b v laterally adjusting the foruird ends of the blocks 68. the screws 72 extending throughv elongated slots 84 in the ears 74. Y

The shafts 60 are adapted to be adjusted longitudinally to axially ,adjust the rollers. flo provide for this, each of the shafts 6() 1s held from axial movement by means of a detent 86. the lower end of which extends through clearance slot 88 in the bearing portion of the block 68 and its inner end is provided with a series of transverse ribs 90 which engage between corresponding annular ribs 91 on the shaft 6() so as to hohl the shaft from longitudinal nio-vement but permitting rotary movement thereof. 'l'he dctent 86 is secured by a holt 92 to an adjusting block 94, and the detent is rigidly held from upward movement by the engage ment of the head of a set screw 96 screwthreaded into the adjusting block 94 with ilongitudinally extending groove which receives a tongue 98 on the bearing lblock 68, and the adjusting block 94 is adjustablysecured tothe tongue 98 by means of a clamping bolt 100, the blockbeing split longitudinallv and the outer end of the bolt 100 being screw-threaded into the further half thereof. with this construction, it will be ap arent that upon looseningthe screws 100, the locks 94ma'y be adjusted longitudinally to axially l adjust the associated shafts 60 and the sets 'of rollers carriedthereby.

The rollers of each set may be adjusted toward and from each other by inserting different size washers 62 between them. As-` shcwn, the several rollers are of disk-like form with smooth rounded edges, and the forward or inner roller of each set is of slightly less diameter than the outer or rear roller.

In threading the strip to be operated upon through the machine, the operator twists the lend of the strip with a pair off pliers before passing it through the twistingr head. This twisted end of thestrip after being passed through the twisting head is worked in between the .two sets of twisting rolls 56, in such-manner asvto cause each edge of the strip to be received between the rollers of the adjacent set. The rollers of the two sets. are so lpositioned as to cause the inner portions of the rounded edges of the rollers of each set to engage the ltwisted end of the strip on opposite sides thereof and onlines spaced inwardly from the thickened edge of the strip,

the lines of engagement of the rollers -of the' two sets beingspaced equal distances from the longitudinal center 'line of the strip Fig. 1.0). j

With the twisted end of the strip thus presented to the two sets of rollers, as tin rollers are rotated and are carried about the axis of the strip by the rotating twisting head upon the machine being thrown into operation they act to smoothly and uniformly feed the strip between them and thus cause the twist that was started in the end of the strip to be continued throughout the length thereof. The' engagement of the rollers with the strip during the twisting operation is confined to lines, indicated at 101 in Fig. 12, that form continuations of the` points of intial engagement thereof with the twisted end of the strip, as above described. Thus the rollers do not engage the thickenededges of thefstrip and,

hence, donot distort 'or otherwise mar or injure them. Theinnerone of each set of Yrollers is preferably made of slightly less di'- ameter than the outer one soas to insure that it will clear the thickened edge of the approaching portion of the twisting strip. `As the speed of rotation of the twisting head and the rate of speed of the strip areuniform, it

will be apparent that the twist thus formed will be of uniform pitch throughout the length of the strip. The rollers are rotated at a somewhat greater surface speed at the points where they engage the strip, than the rate of speed of the strip so that there is a the straight I-beam shape of the strip in crosssecti-on will not be distorted during the twistlng operation.

The provision of the various adjustments of the several twisting rollers, as above described, permits the machine to operate upon strips of different widths and thicknesses within certain limits. One size of rollers will operate upon strips of considerably different widths upon'proper relative adjustments of the two sets of rollers. Strips of different thicknesses, however, lrequire the rollers of each set to be adjusted to vary the space between them, as above described, in accordance with the thickness of the strip to be operated upon.

After a suiiicient length of the strip -has been twisted, its advancing end is passed over the feed wheel'or standardizer 10 (Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9). This standardizer comprises a wheel over which the strip is passed substantially three-fourths of its periphery, and a stationary guiding device 102 is .providedhaving a groove that receives the twisted strip as it leaves the wheel and diverts it to one side of the stretch extending from the wheel to the twisting head and guides it above the wheel and Vtoward the take-up drum 12. This standardizer wheel is provided with a series of projections or teeth 104 that are suitably inclined to enter the spaces between the turns of the twisted strip so as to positively carry the strip therewith. This standardizer wheel is positively driven at a proper speed to maintain the lstretch of the twisted strip extending to the twisting rolls under a certain degree of tension without placing it under suihcient tension to distort the twist formed in the strip.

This wheel 1'0 is secured on one end of a shaft 106 which extends through and is journaled in a bearing 108 on the base of the machine. The shaft 106 is driven so as to positively drive 'the wheel through connection with the twisting head. This connection comprises a gear 109 secured on the shank 14 of the' twisting head which engages a gear 110 secured on the forward end of a shaft 1.12. The other end of this shaft carries a worm 114 which engages a worm wheel 116 secured on the standardizer vwheel shaft 106.

The fake-u drum 12 which receives the twisted strip rom the standardizer 10 is carried by a shaft 118 which has its ends mount- 175 `that with the rollers thus acting on the strip ed in suitable bearings in standards'120 (F lgs. 1, 2 and 3); This take-up drum is driven through connection with the shaft 112 which drives the standardizer wheel 10. 'This connection comprises a -sprocket chain 122 ywhich passes over a sprocket on the shaft 112 and a sprocket secured on the forward end of a shaft 124. rThe rear end of this shaft 124 carries a worm 126 which engagesa worml wleel 128 mounted on the take-'up drum shaft 11 The worm wheel 128 drives the drum shaft 118 through a friction or slip clutching device' which is adjusted to cause the take-up drum to wind up the twisted strip at substantially thespeed that it leaves the standardizer wheel 10, without placing undue strain on the twisted strip. This clutching device comprises a colla-r 130 secured on the shaft 118 adjacent to the inner side of the worm wheel 128, and a collar 132 mounted to turn on said'shaft and arranged adjacent to the outer side of the `the ends of the screws 138 and the collar 132.

By properly adjusting the set screws 138 it will be apparent that the desireddegree of 'frictional drivingr connection may be established between the worm wheel 128 and the take-up drum;

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, my invention permits various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is.: V

1. A machine for twisting a metalnstrip of the class described having, in combination, asupport for a supply of metal strip-.to be t-wisted, a twisting head having an axial opening through which the strip passes, means for rotating said support and head about the axis of the head, and driven strip 'feeding devices carried by the head for assisting in feeding the strip through the head and for effecting' a predetermined twist in the strip as it leaves the head. e

. 2. A machine for twisting a metal strip of the class describedha-ving, in combination.- a

-nupport for a supply of lmetal ,strip to be twisted, a twisting head .through which the lstrip passes, means for rotating said support and head .about the axis of the head, and

means for feeding the strip and effecting a predetermined twist in the strip asit leaves the head comprising an arrangement of rotatstrip. L

ing rollers carried bythe head and suitably engaging the sides of the strip. f

3. A machine for twistin a metal strip ,of the class described having,A 1n combination, a

twistin head through which the strip passes,

means or rotating the strip and head about the axis of the head, two sets, of rollers carried by the head and suitably Varranged to cause the rollersof each set to act on the strip on lines arranged at opposite sides of the stri with the lines of engagement of the rollers of the two sets spaced a distance inwardly' from the longitudinaledges of the strip, and means for rotating the rollers during the'rotation of the head in a direction to feed the strip through thehead, the axes of the rollers of the two sets being arranged at a suitable an le with relation to each other and the strip ei'ng fed through the head ata suitable rate of speedA with relation to the speed of rotation of the head to-effect-l the desired twist in the 4. A macliinefor twisting a metal strip of the classde'scribed having, in combination, a twisting head having an axiall opening through which the strip passes, means for rotating the strip ,and head about ,the axis of the head` two sets of rollers carried by the l headand suitably arranged-to cause the rollers of each setl to a'ct on the strip on lines arranged at opposite sides of the strip with the linesof engagement of the two sets spaced a distanceinwardly from thev longitudinal edges ofthe strip, meansfor rot-ating the rollers duringl the rotation of the head in a direction to feed the strip through the head, the axes of the rollers of the two sets being varranged at a suitable angle withgrelation to each other and the strip being fed through 1 the head at a suitable rate of speed to effect the desired twist in the strip, and said `rollers being driven at a greater surface speed at the points where they engage the strip than the rate of feed of the strip s as to-cause a certain amount of slippage between the rollers andst-rip.

5. A machine for twisting a metal strip `of the class described having, in combination,y a twisting head having an axial opening through which the-strip passes, means for rotating the lstrip and head aboutthe axis of the head, two sets of rollers carried by the head and suitably arranged to cause the rollv,ers of each set to act on the strip on lines arranged at opposite sidesof the strip with the lines of engagement of the two sets spaced a distance inwardly from 'the longitudinal edges of the strip, means fory rotating the rollers during the rotation of the head in a direction to feed the strip through the head comprising a shaft upon which the rollers of each set are mounted, a pinion secured on each shaft, and a stationary gear arranged concentrically with the axis of the head and operatively engaging said pinions, the axesl of the rollers of the two sets being arran ed at a suitable angle with relation to cachot er and the strip being fed through the head at a suitable rate of speed to effect the desired twist in the strip.

6.- A machine for twisting a metal strip of the class described having, in combination, a twisting head through which the strip passes, means for rotating the strip and head about the axis of the head, two sets of rollers carried by the head, the rollers of each set being arranged in axial alinement and spaced apart -toreceive one edge of-the stri between them and to act on opposite sides o the strip with the lines of engagement of the rollers of the two sets spaced a distance inwardly from the edges of the strip, respectively, and means for rotating the rollers during the rotation of the` head in na direction to feed the strip through the head, the axes of the rollers of the two sets being arranged at a suitable angle with relation to each other,` and the strip being fed through the head at suitable rate of speed with relation to the speed of rotation of the head to effect the desired twist in the strip.

arranged in axial alinement and spaced `apart to receive one edge of the strip between them and to act on opposite sides of the strip with the lines of engagement of the rollers of the two sets spaced a distance inwardly from the edges of the strip, respectively, and means for rotating the rollers during the rotation of the head in a direction to feed the strip through the head, the axes of the rollers of the two Sets being arranged at a suitable angle with relation to each other, and thel strip being fed through the head at a suitable rate of s eed with relation to the speed of rotation o the head to 'edect the desiredV twist in the strip, said two sets of rollers having provision for adjusting the relative positions thereof axiall gl A machine for twisting a metal strip of lthe class described having, in combination, a

A twisting head through which the strip passes,

means for rotating the strip and head about the axis of the head, two sets of rollers can, ried by the head, the rollers of each set being arranged in axial alinement and spaced apart to receive one edge portion of the strip be-' tween and `to act on opposite sides .of the strip with the lines of engagement of the rollers of the two sets spaced a distance inwardlv from the edges of the strip, the axes of the two sets of rollers being arranged in planes substantially at right angles to 'each other, and the rollers of one set acting on the and means for rotating the rollers during the rotation of the head in a direction to feed the strip through the head at a suitable rate of speed with relation to the speed of rotation of the head to eli'ect the desired twist in the strip.

9. A machine for twisting a metal strip of the class described having, in combination, a

Ysuitably arranged to cause the rollers of each set to act on the strip as it leaves said sleeve on lines arranged at opposite sides of the stripV with the lines of engagement of the rollers of 'the two sets spaced a distance inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the strip, `and means for rotating the rollers during the rotation of the head in a direction to feed the strip through the head, the axes of the rollers of the two sets being arranged at asuitable angle with relation to each other and the strip being fed by the rollers ata suitable rate of speed with relation'to the s eed of rotation of the head to eiect the desired twist in the strip. f

10. A machine for twisting a metal strip of the class described having, in combination, a twisting head having an axial opening through which the strip passes, a strip guiding sleeve through which the stri passes removably mounted in each end o said o en ing in the head, a reel upon which the strip to be twisted-is wound, a support for the reel arranged in axial alinement with said head, said reel having its axis arranged transversely of the axis of its support, means for rotating said reel support and head about the axis thereof, means for guiding the strip from said reel to said guiding sleeves in said head, and devices carried by the head for assisting in feeding a strip through the head and for effecting a predetermined twist in the strip as it leaves the head.

11. A machine for twistin a' metal strip of the class described having, 1n combination, a ytwisting head having an axial o ening through whichv the strip passes, sai head -having two diametrically opposed flat faces inclined inwardly and rearwardly at an angle ofapproximately 42 degrees to its axis, a bracket mounted upon each of said faces, a shaft extending through a bearing in each of said brackets, the two shafts being arranged axially in planes substantially at right angles to each other, a pinion secured on the forward end of each of said shafts, a stationary gear arranged concentrically with the axis of said head andv operatively engaged by said pinidns so as to cause rotation of said shafts during Vthe rotation of the head, two rollers secured on the rear end of each of said shafts and 2oy l edgeportions of the twisted strip.

f of the class described having, in combination,

spaced apart to receive one edge portion of a strip fed through the opening in the head between them, the rollers of each shaft beine` arranged to act on the strip on lines arrange at opposite sides of the strip with the lines of engagement of the two sets of rollers spaced a distance inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the strip, respectively, said brackets having provision for adjustment to move the two sets of rollers toward and from each other to accommodate strips of different widths.

12. A machine for twisting a metal strip of the class described having, 1n combination, a twisting head, devices carried/by the head for eil'ecting a twist in the strip as it passes from the head, and a constantly driven eed wheel over which the strip passes after it leaves the head, and provided with projections that enter the spaces betweenthe turns of the twisted stri so as to positively draw the strip from said twisting devices, each projection being inclined transversely of the periphery of said wheel in accordance with the pitch of the-twist in the strip-so as to permit it to enter the space between adjacent 13. A machine for twisting a metal strip of the class described having, in combination. a twistinv head, devices carried by the head for twistin the strip as it leaves the head, a constantly riven feed wheel over a portion of the periphery of which the strip passes, and a grooved guiding device for guiding the twisted strip'after passing over said portion of" the wheel to one side of the portion of the twisted strip approaching the wheel.

14. A machine for twisting a metal strip a twisting head through which the strip passes, means for rotatin the head about its axis, and means `for e ecting a predetermined twist in the stri com rising a plurality of rollers carried Ey the i' eed and suitably engaging the sides 'of the strip, and

meansior rotating the rollers in a direction to tendto feed the strip through the twisting head and at a greater surface speed than the surface' speed of the strip so aste cause slippage between the rollers and the strip.v

15. A machine for twisting a metal strip andere of engagement ofthe two sets located between the axis and the longitudinal edges of the stri v 1 A machine for twisting a metal of the class described having, 1nl combination, two sets of twisting rollers, the rollers of each set being arranged in axial alinement and spaced apart to receive one edge of the twisted portion of the strip between them and to engage opposite sides Aont the strip with the lineso engagement of the rollers of the two sets spaced adistance inwardly from the edges of the strip, respectively.

18. A machine for twisting a meta-l strip of the class described having, 1n combination two sets of twisting rollers, the rollers o'V each set being arranged! in axial alinement substantially at right anglesvto each other,

and the rollers of one set engaging the strip in advance of the rollers 'of the other set,

19. A machine for twisting a metal strip of the class described having, in combination,

a head through which 'the strip passes, a y.

support 'upon which the strip4 is wound, means for relatively rotating said head and said support about the axis of the striA ,and driven twisting rollers mounted on sai head for twisting the strip as it asses through said head and is wound on said-support and A for assisting in feeding the strip, the twisting rollers being driven at a greater surface speed at the points where they engage the strip than the rate of the feed ofthe strip so as'to cause a certain amount of slippage between the rollers and strip. f

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification' this seventeenth day of August, 1926.

of the class described havin/g, in combination,

a. head through which the strip passes, a support upon which 'the twisted strip is wound, means for relatively rotating said head and saidsupport about the 'axis of .the strip, and driven twisting rollers mounted on said head for twisting the strip as it passes through said head and is wound on said support and for assisting in feeding the strip.

16.' A machine for twistin a metal strip of the class described having, 1n combination, two sets of twisting rollers suitably arranged to cause the rollers of each setto engage the twisted rtion of the strip on lines located atopposite sides of the strip with thel lines Y 

